Get help paying for energy efficiency home improvements

You might be able to get help with the cost of making your home more energy efficient if you either:

• own your home

• rent from a private landlord

For example, you might be able to apply for help with the cost of insulation, a heat pump, a new boiler or boiler repairs. This means you'll have to pay less to heat your home and it will stay warm for longer.

You might be able to apply to:

• the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme

• the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS)

• the Home Upgrade Grant scheme -  if you don’t use mains gas to heat your home

• the Boiler Upgrade Scheme

• the Connected for Warmth insulation scheme

If you rent privately

You’ll need permission from your landlord if you want to make any big changes to your home - for example, adding insulation or replacing your boiler. Your landlord will usually have to pay some of the cost of making the improvements.

If you think you might be eligible for funding or grants, you should talk to your landlord before you apply.

If you live in social housing

There’s help available to make your home more energy efficient, but you can’t apply for it yourself. Your landlord will contact you about any work they’re doing to make your home more energy efficient.

Your landlord has to make sure your home is reasonably warm. If it isn’t, they might have to make repairs on your home. Check if your landlord has to repair your home and what you can do if they don’t.

Applying to the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme

You might be able to get help with things like insulation, boilers and improving your heating. 

There are different ways you can apply to the ECO scheme - it depends on which conditions you meet. 

Some people can get help to apply through their local council. But there are situations where you have to apply through a gas or electricity supplier.

Depending on where you live, there are some other situations when you might be able to apply through your local council. This is called ECO Flex.

For example, you might be able to apply if:

• you have a household income of less than £31,000

• you get Council Tax Reduction - because you have a low income

• your child gets free school meals - because you have a low income

• you have a severe or long-term health condition

Not all local councils offer funding in these situations. Contact your local council to see what they offer - ask if there’s ECO funding available in your area and how you can apply for it. Find your council’s details on GOV.UK.

If you’ve spoken to your council and are still not sure if you can apply in your situation, you can talk to an adviser.

Watch out for scams

You might see adverts or get cold calls from companies who say they offer ECO funding. It can be hard to tell if these companies are genuine, and they might set unrealistic expectations about the work, such as how long it might take or what additional work might be needed. It’s best to apply through your local council or energy supplier who will refer you to a genuine company.

You can check what to do if you think something might be a scam.

Check what happens after you apply to the ECO scheme

The council or energy supplier might ask you for evidence to show that you’re eligible - for example, a letter from the benefit office or some payslips. If you’re worried about sending over personal documents, ask to read their privacy policy saying how they’ll use your information. 

The council or energy supplier will arrange a survey on your home and, if your home is suitable, they will arrange for an installer to do the work. You can read our advice about the steps you should go through before you get building work done.

The ECO scheme should normally cover all the costs - but they might ask you or your landlord to pay something towards the work. This depends on the local council or supplier and what they fund. They should tell you how much you’ll have to pay before you agree to the work.

Applying to the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS)

The government has started a scheme to help more people insulate their homes. The new scheme is called the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS). It will run until March 2026. 

Check if you’re eligible for the Great British Insulation Scheme on GOV.UK.

Applying for a Home Upgrade Grant

If you don’t use mains gas to heat your home, you might be able to get help with things like insulation and improving your heating.

You’re probably not using mains gas if you use other types of fuel to heat your home - for example electricity, oil, coal or wood.

To get a Home Upgrade Grant, one of the following must be true:

• your home has an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D, E, F or G - find your home’s Energy Performance Certificate on GOV.UK

• your home doesn’t have an EPC but it needs energy efficiency improvements - for example, insulation or more efficient heating

In most cases your income before tax must also be under £31,000. This includes your partner's income if you live with them.

If your income is £31,000 or more, you might still be able to get a Home Upgrade Grant because of where you live. Talk to an adviser - they can help you check if you can get one.

Contact your local council to find out if the Home Upgrade Grant scheme is available in your area - you can find your local council on GOV.UK.

You might also be able to get help with your bills if you use alternative fuels to heat your home.

Applying to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme

You might be able to get a grant towards the cost of replacing your heating system with a heat pump or biomass boiler. 

Your current heating system must use oil, gas or electricity. If you already have a heat pump, you can’t use the grant to replace it.

You’ll usually need to pay some of the costs yourself.

Check if you can get help from the Boiler Upgrade Scheme on GOV.UK

Applying to the Connected for Warmth insulation scheme

If your home is in council tax band A, B, C or D, you might be eligible for free loft or cavity wall insulation. 

If you own your home, you can apply for the Connected for Warmth scheme on their website.

If you rent from a private landlord, your landlord needs to apply on your behalf.

Find other ways to save energy

There are other things you can do to use less energy at home and save money on your bills.

You can:

• compare the cost of using your electrical appliances to help make decisions about how to use them

• check the best way to use your heating controls and find simple ways to keep heat in your home

If you need help with bills or the cost of living

If you can’t afford your energy bills, you can check our advice on what to do if you’re struggling to pay.

If you don’t have enough money to live on, you can also get help with the cost of living.